Under the leadership of the dynamic Joanie Madden on flutes and whistles, Cherish the Ladies, which began in New York in 1985, grew into an Irish traditional music sensation. They have won countless fans along the way, plus an impressive array of awards and honors, including the BBC’s Best Musical Group of 2004, Top North American Celtic Group at the 2001 Irish Music Awards, and having the street named after them in the Bronx. Joanie is joined in the band by multi-instrumentalist Mary Coogan, Mirella Murray on accordion, fiddler Grainne Murphy, and pianist Kathleen Boyle.

Over the years, the “Ladies” have collaborated with noted entertainers, performing with James Taylor, Joan Baez, and The Chieftains, and on their latest release, Country Crossroads, recording with Nashville music scene artists Vince Gill and Nanci Griffith.